My Favorite Movie

My favorite movie is "Kundun". It is the story of the early life of the fourteenth Dalai Lama. Kundun was written by Melissa Mathison and directed by Marti Scorsese.

The story begins in the year 1937 in Tibet. Lama, a wandering Tibetan monk, discovered in a two year old boy the reicarnated Dalai Lama. According to the Lama-philosophy, Buddha transforms himself into Dalai Lama. The actual Dalai Lama is therefore the fourteenth reicarnation. In the movie story, the boy is going to live, together with his family, in the Lasa Palace. He is going to be the highest Tibetan religious and political representative. He is living in a monastery, learning from other Lamas. In 1950, China attacks Tibet. Nine years later, Kundun (or also Dalai Lama) is forced to leave the country.

There are many reasons why I consider Kundun my favirite movie. First of all, the story is placed in Tibet, in a country I like for its Buddhist roots. Secondly, the movie appears to have authenticity. It is important when a historical movie conforms to reality. The movie, Kundun,, was made in cooperation with the Dalai Lama, who lives in exile today. I like this movie for its processing. The beautiful colors are dominant in this movie. Also the music is incredible. When I say to myself "Kundun", the unforgettable music still sounds in my ears. Actually, it is the movie that makes the film tense and unique.

There are no famous actors in this movie, but in spide of this, they are excellent performers. They are all either Chinese or Tibetan semi-professional actors who are living in exile. There are also family members of the Dalai Lama playing in this movie. For example, the real Dalai Lama's niece beautifully plays Kundun's mother.

I think this movie is worth seeing. To watch this or similar movies is the easiest way to find out something about the historical and political situation of specific country. It is also very iteresting to observe how diverse people are living in different countries at different times.